King - they might not make good deer loads. None of the bullet manufacturers that I know of make a 44 caliber rifle bullet (for the 444) in the 180-200 gn weight, they are pistol bullets and may not hold up at all to rifle velocities. Accuracy might be poor and the bullet too frangible for the impact velocities, leaving a wounded animal or a missed shot.
I wasn't really foolin' with ya when I asked if you were going varmit hunting. I'm sure a clean shot through the lungs at any accurate distance (for both you and the rifle) would have an instant and quite telling effect with 444 loads at those speeds, but on a shoulder it may not penetrate.
The 240 grain bullet is just very fine and excellent for whitetail - some shooters have referred to it as hitting like the hammer of Thor - you betcha it does. I don't think you can really improve on the effect of that cartridge by using lighter weight bullets. That cartridge really begins to shine with heavier jacketed bullets and hits like a ton of bricks with the even heavier hardcast slugs.
I re-read your post about your friend's bullet weight preferences and continue to recommend either of the loads I previously provided but good luck none the less and I hope your friend has a good hunting season with those loads. Mikey.
